WA General Elk Season on Saturday!

E

EOD Diver

Handloader
Dec 30, 2011
604
218
Well, cross your fingers guys. I managed to convince the wife to let me out for elk, even if it is only for the weekend. I don't think I'll have my 150 ABLR load quite ironed out in my Kimber 280AI so I'll be burning Nosler factory 140 ABs. I love the way the rifle carries, but haven't been able to get it below 1.5 MOA. I don't have a darn clue where I'm going just yet or even if I can borrow mama's SUV (kid hauler) instead of my car, but I sure am excited to be getting out again. I'm kicking around trying the area around Nile, WA. My plan is what it always is--get away from trucks and atvs up high and glass, glass, glass. Going in light and plan to coyote out on which ever saddle I find to my liking. Will keep you updated as we get closer. Keep those fingers crossed, I'm going to need all the luck I can muster for this impromptu elk hunt!
Joe
 
Hey, Joe, we're all pulling for you. The 140 ABs should serve you well on elk. I've use them (and PTs) in my .280 with good results. Wishing you every success, man.
 
Good luck! I will be trying to bloody my whelen on Saturday as well. Didn't have any luck during archery season in Montana, so hopefully rifle season will be more productive!
 
EOD, I would think the Nile would be as good a choice as any. Even though the state opens the east side too early these days there is always elk in the Nile as well all the adjacent units. Good luck to ya.
 
EOD Diver":zwc59xk9 said:
Well, cross your fingers guys. I managed to convince the wife to let me out for elk, even if it is only for the weekend. I don't think I'll have my 150 ABLR load quite ironed out in my Kimber 280AI so I'll be burning Nosler factory 140 ABs. I love the way the rifle carries, but haven't been able to get it below 1.5 MOA. I don't have a darn clue where I'm going just yet or even if I can borrow mama's SUV (kid hauler) instead of my car, but I sure am excited to be getting out again. I'm kicking around trying the area around Nile, WA. My plan is what it always is--get away from trucks and atvs up high and glass, glass, glass. Going in light and plan to coyote out on which ever saddle I find to my liking. Will keep you updated as we get closer. Keep those fingers crossed, I'm going to need all the luck I can muster for this impromptu elk hunt!
Joe
Click to expand...

Good luck to you! Unfortunately I have to wait until next weekend for elk to open up in Western Washington.

sent from my typewriter
 
Good luck to you guys and I hope one year to be able to get back out in the field for elk in Western Washington. Maybe next year. My lungs keep failing more each year and keep me from my favorite pastime which is hunting elk.
 
Good luck on your upcoming Elk hunt. Remember lots of photos & a good story always helps.
Most of all have fun, shoot straight & be safe!!!

Blessings,
Dan
 
Good luck Joe. Hope you crush an elk with the 280. I imagine 1.5MOA will keep you in meat! HA!

Looking forward to your report.
 
Best of Luck Joe!

I have to work this weekend, but should have time to get out and chase elk next Monday and/or Tuesday. That's about all the time I've got avail for it though. A day, maybe two. Still, it's always fun getting after 'em!

Guy
 
Thank you guys, but change in plans. I won't be traveling next weekend for work (junior guy always gets bumped), so that means I've been saddled with my fatherly Halloween duties and will push the hunt right a week to November 2-3. Good news is that it gives me a little more time to work out that 150 ABLR load for my 280AI. I took everyone's advice and took the bullet as far out as I could. It turns out that 3.350" is the longest that will eject out of the port when the round is unfired. That gives me a jump of 0.070" as opposed to last week's jump of 0.120". I also loaded a few with my ol' pal IMR 7828sc. I've got my hopes up that one of these combos will pan out.
Doing a topo recon has been tough. There are a lot more forest roads here in WA than I'm used to in NM or CO. Getting away from the crowds is going to be a tough affair I'm afraid. Guess we'll see. Good luck to all of you heading out this weekend!
Joe
 
Joe, that sounds like a better spot. I have had great luck around .060-.075" off with my two rifles. Hoping the load comes together for you. 7828 probably won't be a bad idea. Hopefully you can can smoke an elk with it!
 
Good luck Joe.
The 140 gr AB is a popular elk bullet in your area.

JD338
 
Squared away my kit tonight. I need to go through it one last time, but I wanted to see how I was doing in the weight department. I'm happy to say that I've shed a lot of weight from it since bowhunting in CO in 2011. I saw a neat little one man tent at Sportsman's Warehouse tonight made by Alps Mountaineering called the Lynx 1. It was only 100 bucks, it's freestanding, 3.5 pounds, and a huge improvement over my issued Slumberjack bivy sack. I've had some long nights in that bivy when it rains, as it doesn't have much in the way of protection for the face. If you've never spent the night under a fir tree when it's raining, I'm here to tell you that it's going to drip on you all night. My two man tent is in storage in NM and I didn't like the thought of using my heavy military issue 3 man tent, so I'm pleased with the upgrade. Load wise, I'm thinking I'll just leave well enough alone and use the Nosler factory 140 AB loads for my 280AI. I really wanted to get a chance to use that 150 ABLR, but just don't have enough dope yet to be comfortable with it. That 140 AB is already dialed in and proven to 330 yards on that antelope from earlier in the year. Guess that's about what's fit to print tonight. Damn, it feels good to be heading out again soon. I love backpack hunting.
Joe
 
Good luck Joe. Sounds like your kit is well set up and your rifle is running true. Hope you are able to find an elk buddy! Get after em!
 
Joe,

We're all wishing you every success. It does sound as if you are squared away. Now, to find elk.
 
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